ZEKEY MEDIA ONLINE

Melody Zekey Pande

Will Chiesa Depart Liverpool for Juventus?
Federico Chiesa is reportedly considering a return to Juventus this transer window, as his role at Liverpool under manager Arne Slot has been bench-warming. The Reds acquired Chiesa from Juventus in August 2024 for an initial fee of £10 million, following his designation as surplus to requirements by former manager Thiago Motta.
So far, the Italy international has made 34 appearances for Liverpool, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists. However, he has started only seven matches, with just one occurrence in a first-choice lineup—against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League last month. For a player of Chiesa’s caliber, a spot on the bench is becoming increasingly untenable. At 28 years old, he is in his prime and requires consistent playing time, which has been elusive since his move to England. Even during the 2024-25 Premier League title-winning season, Chiesa struggled to establish a significant presence.
A key motivator for Chiesa’s potential departure is the approaching 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Players with international aspirations are acutely aware that regular playing time is essential for gaining favor with national selectors. Although Chiesa remains a vital asset for the Italian national team, he cannot expect to secure a starting position for the Azzurri if he continues to see limited action at the club level. A return to Serie A, a league where he has previously excelled, would provide him the opportunity to showcase his fitness and form consistently. Furthermore, reuniting with head coach Luciano Spalletti, with whom he has worked at the national level, could facilitate a smoother transition.
However, a significant hurdle for Juventus may lie in the structure of the proposed deal. Italian clubs often prefer “loan with an option to buy” agreements to navigate financial constraints during the winter transfer window and assess a player’s fitness. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Liverpool is not interested in a temporary arrangement.
The Reds are reportedly demanding either a permanent transfer or, at the very least, a loan deal with a firm obligation to buy. The Anfield management views Chiesa as a valuable asset who has simply not integrated into the starting XI as anticipated, rather than a player to be offloaded as a distressed asset. If Juventus or any other interested party wishes to secure the services of the Euro 2020 winner, they will need to present a substantial financial offer.
This situation places pressure on Juventus to decide whether they are willing to invest in a player they previously considered expendable less than two years ago. While Chiesa is open to the transfer, he currently remains under Liverpool’s control.